Life Into Arts: R. K. Narayan

Abstract

This study attempts to prove that an artist may take material for his art from his own life and experience. Narayan certainly has taken material for his novels from his own experience. His first three novels are semiautobiographical. These trilogies tell the story of Narayan’s life from childhood to adulthood. Swami and Friends tells the story of a ten year old named Swami. Swami’s childhood experience is similar to Narayan’s own childhood. The Bachelor of Arts shows the gradual growth of a boy towards adulthood. Narayan projected his feeling of young love through this novel. The story of The English Teacher is based on Narayan’s own marriage and the early death of his wife.